Tillie Doyle
Burnt grease on pans can be a pain to remove, but there are several methods to get your pans looking good as new. Firstly, it is important to identify the type of pan you are working with, as certain cleaning methods can ruin non-stick pans. For example, it is recommended to avoid steel wool on non-stick pans.
One of the most popular methods for removing burnt grease is using Bar Keepers Friend, a powerful cleaning agent that works on most types of pans. Simply create a paste with water and apply it to the bottom of the pan, leaving it for around 10 minutes before wiping it off with a scrubbing pad.
Another popular method is to use a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap. Create a thick paste and apply it to the bottom of the pan, leaving it for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing it off. For particularly stubborn grease, you can pre-soak the pan in vinegar for half an hour before applying the paste.
Other methods include using ammonia, dryer sheets, lemon juice, or even ketchup! Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so try to wash your pans immediately after use and soak them in hot soapy water to loosen any grease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaners | Baking soda, vinegar, salt, ketchup, oven cleaner, Bar Keeper's Friend, ammonia, lemon juice, dryer sheets, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, pumice scouring stick, borax, Easy Off, steel wool, oxiclean, bleach, Barkeeper's Friend, dishwasher tablet, CLR, Wright's Copper Cream, Bon Ami, Stain Solver, The Amazing Whip It!, S.O.S. pads |
| Techniques | Soak, scrub, wipe, rinse, pre-soak, sprinkle, spray, coat, fill, let sit, wash, use circular motions, scrub vigorously, use hot water, tie up pan in an airtight bag, use non-scratch sponge, make a paste, use aluminum foil, use scrub brush, use toothbrush, use scouring pad, use scrubby side of sponge, use scrubby |
| Pans | Stainless steel, non-stick, ceramic, cast iron, copper, aluminum, Teflon, Calphalon, Le Creuset cast iron, T-fal, hard anodized aluminum, glass top stove |
What You'll Learn
Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap
Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap can be used together to remove stuck-on grease from pans. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. The exact measurements aren't crucial, but aim for a paste that is spreadable yet thick enough to cling to the pan.
- Apply a few drops of dish soap to the paste. Blue Dawn is a popular and effective option.
- Using a circular motion, spread the paste over the greasy areas of the pan. Ensure you cover all the problem areas.
- Let the paste sit for 30 minutes to an hour. During this time, the paste will work to break down the grease and make it easier to remove.
- After the paste has had sufficient time to work, use a toothbrush or scrubbing pad to gently scrub the pan. For caked-on grease, you may need to put in a bit more elbow grease.
- Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue.
- If necessary, repeat the process for stubborn grease stains.
This method is effective for removing grease from various types of pans, including stainless steel, non-stick, and ceramic. However, it's important to note that baking soda can be abrasive, so use gentle scrubbing motions on non-stick and ceramic pans to avoid damaging the coating.
Additionally, always wear protective gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide and avoid ingesting it. Never mix and store baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a closed container, as the combination produces carbon dioxide gas, which can cause the container to leak or explode. Instead, mix the ingredients right before cleaning.
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Vinegar
To use vinegar to remove grease from your pans, follow these steps:
- Pour straight vinegar into your sink, ensuring there is enough to fully submerge the bottom of the pan.
- Leave the pan to soak for about an hour.
- Use a scrubbing pad or toothbrush, along with some dish soap and water, to remove the softened grease.
For a more intensive cleaning solution, you can combine vinegar with other household products. For example:
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the pan, focusing on stained areas. Spray or sprinkle the baking soda with straight vinegar and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing with a scouring pad.
- Salt and Vinegar: Soak the pan in white vinegar for about an hour, then pour salt onto the bottom of the pan. Add a small amount of dish soap to a scrubbing pad and vigorously scrub the pan, adding more salt and soap as needed.
Remember to always rinse and dry your pans after cleaning to remove any residual cleaning products.
Additionally, vinegar can be used as a preventative measure to keep your pans grease-free. Simply wipe down your pans with a vinegar-soaked rag or sponge after each use to cut through grease and prevent buildup.
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Ammonia
Step 1: Place your pan inside a large plastic bag. You can use a garbage bag or a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Ensure that the bag is big enough to accommodate the pan.
Step 2: Add ammonia to the bag. For a large garbage bag, pour in about one cup of ammonia. If you are using a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, add about a quarter of a cup of ammonia.
Step 3: Seal the bag tightly. Make sure there is not too much air left inside the bag. The ammonia fumes will help loosen the burnt-on grease, so you want the fumes to be concentrated inside the bag.
Step 4: Let the pan sit in the bag for at least 24 hours. You can leave it outside or in a well-ventilated area to avoid the strong smell of ammonia.
Step 5: Open the bag in a well-ventilated area and remove the pan. Be cautious as the fumes can be strong.
Step 6: Using a non-scratch scouring sponge or pad, scrub the pan. You will see that most of the grease has already come off, and only a little bit of elbow grease is needed to remove the remaining residue.
Step 7: Rinse the pan with water and wash it with mild soap to remove any ammonia residue.
This method is very effective, especially for pans that have not been cleaned in a while. It is important to note that if your pan has been previously cleaned with steel wool or other abrasive materials, the ammonia method may not work as well as the surface of the pan would have been damaged, making it easier for the grease to stick.
Additionally, always ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area when handling ammonia, and wear gloves to protect your hands.
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Oven cleaner
To use oven cleaner to remove burnt grease, start by spreading the oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan. Leave it to sit for a few hours; it is recommended to leave it overnight for the best results. After letting the oven cleaner sit, scrub the bottom of the pan with a scrubbing pad. Finally, wash the pan with hot soapy water to get rid of any oven cleaner residue.
While oven cleaner is a great option for removing burnt grease, it is not safe for consumption. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly wash the pan with soap and water after cleaning it with oven cleaner.
In addition to oven cleaner, there are other methods to remove burnt grease from pans, such as using baking soda, vinegar, salt, and commercial cleaners.
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Bar Keepers Friend
To use Bar Keepers Friend, first, wet the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the pan and scrub with a scouring pad, sponge, or soft cloth. For very greasy or burnt pans, you can make a paste with the powder and a small amount of water and let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. For extremely burnt pans, you may want to start by scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a softer sponge.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to remove burnt grease from pans. One of the most popular methods is to use Bar Keepers Friend, a powerful cleaning agent that can be mixed with water to form a paste and applied to the bottom of the pan. Another method is to use a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap, which can be applied to the pan and left to dry before being scrubbed off. Other methods include using vinegar, salt, lemon juice, ammonia, dryer sheets, or oven cleaner.
When cleaning a non-stick pan, it is important to avoid using abrasive materials or tools such as steel wool, as they can damage the coating. Instead, opt for gentle methods such as using a paste of baking soda and warm water, or a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice.
To prevent burnt grease and grease stains on your pans, it is recommended to wash them immediately after use, paying close attention to scrubbing the bottom of the pan. Additionally, soaking pans in hot soapy water can help loosen the grease, making it easier to remove.
Distilled white vinegar is a natural and effective way to remove burnt grease from most types of pans with light browning. Simply fill your sink with enough vinegar to submerge the pan's bottom and let it soak for about an hour before scrubbing with a pad and dish soap.
Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleaning product that can be used to remove burnt grease and food from pans. It is available in powder or cream form and can be purchased at stores such as Walmart, Target, and Canadian Tire, as well as online.
